The weather is starting to improve and with it comes a great opportunity to get youth away from their electronic devices and encourage them to go outside to enjoy nature. According to Harvard Medical School research, getting outdoors has many benefits including increased vitamin D levels, increased physical activity, improved mood, improved concentration and quicker healing.
Here are some suggestions to help youth venture outdoors.
• Offer fun activities. Sidewalk chalk and bubbles are great inexpensive incentives for outdoor play. Many young people also like “fun chores,” such as walking the dog.
• Make it a game. Kickball and dodgeball are fun games to play together as a family or with a group from your neighborhood. You also can’t go wrong with a game of hide and seek.
• Lead an insect safari and encourage young people to look and listen for insects. They may even want to take photos of the insects they find to submit for a 4-H digital insect collection.
• Show youth the wonders of nature. Watch sunrises or sunsets or stargaze as a family. Take a walk and look at the different buds on different types of trees.
For more ideas on ways to get young people outdoors, contact the Adair County Extension Office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
Sue Stivers Educational Scholarship
Each year, a $500 scholarship in the honor of Sue C. Stivers is made available to an Adair County resident. Sue Stivers was a former Extension Agent who made a lasting impact on the Adair County Community. Applicants should be currently working toward a degree at the University of Kentucky in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment OR pursuing an Education degree at Lindsey Wilson College.
Applicants should apply during the spring semester of their junior or senior year. Junior and senior status will be considered both by number of years in college and by number of credit hours attained. Applications are due May 1 and can be picked up at the Extension Office.
Chinese Cuisine
Our society is directly impacted by cultures across the globe. Understanding more about diverse cultures helps us to understand ourselves and their influence in our lives. On Friday, March 25, at 11 a.m. CT, the Adair County Family and Consumer Sciences program will offer a global educational program as we learn about one of the oldest civilizations.
Learn a few of the 50,000 characters in their language. Cook a snack. If you are courageous enough, try a few of their games and pastimes. Are you ready to learn about the Asian influence in our lives? Travel the silk road as we learn about China. To register, call the Adair County Extension Office at (270) 384-2317.
Source: Ashley Osborne, Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
